Come - Along

[lrp374]

I've decided that I "need" a little insurance when taking the odd short cut. A come-along seems to be a versatile piece of equipment that could be used as a cheap winch and many other things. I have used the cable type in the past a thought that's what I'd get. Now I see there is a web strap type as well as the cable. Has anybody used the strap type?

[jessef]

I've only used the cable black rat come along so I can't comment on the strap types. The cables are durable and time proven.

What's the highest weight rated strap version ?

[lrp374]

The info I have indicates that a 4000# unit is available with 1 strap. I'm not sure how easy the double strap would be though it looks like a few are available. Most double strap are still rated @ 4000#.

[jessef]

can you post a link?

[lrp374]

A couple locations:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... 8231_18231

& Princess Auto they call it a ratchet hoist.

[jessef]

not sure I would trust that over a cable but the price is right. a 1" strap seems thin for a 2T capacity.

This is the one I had before I sold it with my Jeep. http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipmen ... _winch.htm

The smoothest and safest come along I've used. I would even have let my lady wind it up under tension. It has a little grabber that pulls the cable through rather than wrapping it up like most come alongs. But it's pricey and these days you can buy a Smittybuilt X8 winch for that same amount.

I would give the northern tools one a shot but would definitely try it out under load in a safe environment before I used it out in the bush in a real situation.

[lrp374]

Thanks for the comments Jessie. I to would be skeptical of the strap type as it would seem easy to catch on something and reduce it's strength. The one you had looks like a great device for someone who intends to get stuck. I was hoping that someone had used the strap type and would comment. I guess people either have winches or a buddy with a rope. I think the cheap cable type will fit my need and be a reasonable compromise.

Larry

[pajerry]

I noticed this and the other come along thread and just have to say that I would not ever trust that strap for much more than loading a trailer or something. You already pointed out that it will end up fraying and is already very under built for the rating. It looks like the same crappy nylon material I have on some ratchet straps from princess 'rated' at 500lbs but certainly wouldn't want to use them near that working load, plus they sure arn't long lasting.

I have a 4-ton cable come along I bought a few ago at princess auto. It has paid itself off although I wouldn't want to use it in a real stuck. It only pulls a max of 6 or 8' so it is good to have a tow strap along with your tree saver with extra shackle to half the tow strap length if needed. you can learn from my headaches :)

Can't go wrong for around 20-40 bucks. Although, with a cable puller like jesse mentioned, you could save yourself from buying another hundred bucks in straps and shackles due to the limited range of the come along. I went with come along because of price and I knew I was upgrading to proper winch eventually.

For the price and function I'd get this http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200419694
Don't forget a tree saver.

[jessef]

It only pulls a max of 6 or 8' so it is good to have a tow strap along with your tree saver with extra shackle to half the tow strap length if needed. you can learn from my headaches :)

The reason why I will never hand winch ever again. The day I got stuck past the hubs and had to hand winch out, I was there for two days. Never again.

Come a long's and such are best as a winching/recovery supplement, not the primary extraction tool.

Sideways extraction, rollover prevention, downhill sideways,etc... are situations where a hand winch will assist with recovery.

99.9% of people who have pulled a very stuck full sized vehicle with a hand winch (instead of an electric/hydro winch) will never use one in that capacity again guaranteed.

[pajerry]

Yeah, learn from others mistakes forsure lol. I was in it for a nice 6hr dig, strap, tighten winch move tree strap tighten winch etc for about 30' of snot that I couldn't get momentum on again. Thank god i had two extra straps and shackles or it wouldn't have happened.

[jessef]

Yeah, learn from others mistakes forsure lol.

In this case, everyone who goes out in the bush should attempt a solid hand winch recovery. 1st hand experience will net that person gratitude and admiration for the electric/hydro winch after that